Birmingham

Manufacturing is one of this city's main industries and Birmingham accounts for 25% of British exports. Half of all of the jewellery sold in the UK is made here and the famous Jewellery Quarter remains a popular destination for people in search of that special piece of bling. Birmingham has a large workforce of nearly 2.5 million with 41% of our survey respondents able to work flexibly some or all of the time. But according to our Connected Britain research, in future many of these workers could opt to live by the coast or in rural areas, which means that the city could see a decrease in population of as much as 80% - leaving a bit more room for the remaining residents to spread out.

Despite being one of the UK’s most built up cities, Birmingham has more parks than any other city in the UK and much of England's most beautiful countryside is also within easy reach. The Severn Valley, the Malvern Hills, Ironbridge Gorge (a UNESCO world heritage site) and the picturesque Cotswolds are just a stone’s throw away.

Some of its well-kept secrets include the Electric Cinema, which is the UK’s oldest working cinema and Blists Hill Victorian Town, where visitors can get a glimpse of how life was lived in Victorian times, One of a number of colourful murals in the city, the Horsefair Mural depicts the horse fair that took place on the spot until 1911. Those who feel a kinship with Middle Earth can follow the Tolkien Trail and discover the real life inspiration behind some of most fantastic landscapes. Comedy fans can remember one of Birmingham’s most famous sons, meanwhile, by visiting the Tony Hancock statue.